resitacox

Looking up, on my back: Day Three

resitacox — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 04:38:03 +0000

If WJMC has taught me anything, it has taught me that I can be a journalist. Of course journalism is changing, but in order to grow one must accept change. The numerous speakers have definitely inspired me to pursue my dreams. They spoke against the idea that journalism is a dying profession and this encouraged me tremendously. Hoda Kotb was by far my favorite. Her story is amazing. Her personality is amazing. Heck, SHE is amazing. Success was not handed to Hoda and this is why I am so inspired by her. She is living proof that hard work and determination can get you anywhere. This lady was denied TWENTY-SEVEN jobs! WHAAAA?? Hoda Kotb? THEEEEE Hoda Kotb? That beautiful Egyptian lady? Yes, her. Anything is possible. During her key-note speech she stated, “Bloom where you are planted.” In other words, even if you aren’t exactly where you would like to be you must work hard while you are there. Push forward, push forward, and push forward. Yes, these two words were the only things that came to mind during her speech. Many may say that speakers are SUPPOSED to be inspirational, that is their job . . . right? I totally disagree. It is something about Hoda. She is… genuine. REAL. As soon as she walks in the room BAM you know she’s there. I mean not many speakers put their iPods into the microphone and sing “Black and Yellow” by Wiz Khalifia. “Be in the now,” Hoda constantly repeated. What exaaactly does that mean? It means be 100%; do not let your troubles of yesterday or tomorrow ruin your today. Wow! I definitely felt she was speaking directly to Resita Cox when she said this. Hoda?? Hmm, do you know me personally or something? I tend to do that a lot. I am at a constant race with life, yet there is no finish line. Basically if it’s not one thing, it’s definitely another. That’s life. That’s just MY life and unfortunately I have to deal with it. However, I never considered that I may deal with issues at the wrong times. I know now I must change this. How can you score a 98 on the test tomorrow if you are worrying about the 65 you scored on the test you took yesterday? Simple. You can’t. As Hoda said, “Be in the now.” You can’t be in the there, while trying to be in the HERE. Mission Impossible. Resita? Focus on your future, not your present. Thanks Hoda. You are my inspiration. You remind me that regardless of the situation, you must always push forward.

“When you fall, and you will, make sure you fall on your back because when you are on your back you can look up. And if you can look up, you can get UP.”

Dear Hoda, You make me want to be a better me. Sincerely, A person looking UP.

Those unexpected life-changing moments: Day Two

resitacox — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 04:38:11 +0000

The Washington Monument: My attempt at capturing a breath-taking moment

Something as simple as a bus ride can be life-changing. I feel that every moment should be grasped. You never know when that life changing moment is going to hit you in the face. My attempt at cheating this theory is being prepared at all times. WAIT!! LIFE CHANGING MOMENT ALERT!!! No, I’m joking that was only me spilling my Sprite. However, my first bus ride through my nation’s capital was just that: life-changing. The movies and photos of the many famous monuments do them absolutely no justice. To be there; to be able to look in the sky and see the top of the Washington Monument is simply astonishing.

Day Two: The Newseum

Imagine being able to travel back in time to become a part of history. That is how I feel about the Newseum. Historic event after historic event after historic event, all captured by the words and images of journalist. Simply amazing; life-changing. I can’t possibly narrate each exhibit we visited. From the Berlin Wall to the 9/11 video, each exhibit was staggering. As we toured this remarkable place, however, I saw more than just the exhibits. I also saw what made this place a Newseum rather than a typical history museum. Rather than focusing on “what” happened, the Newseum focuses on “who saw it” happen. In other words, the Newseum is built off of the journalist who covered these amazing happenings. While watching the 9/11 presentation on the journalists who were actually present during the terrorist attack, a quote on the wall stroked my attention. It read: “There are three types of people who run toward danger, not away: cops, firemen, and reporters.” Wow. Before reading this I would have never put journalist in the same category as cops and firefighters. Although many people may simply read this quote and continue on with their lives, I was at a complete stand-still at the wall. I read it over and over, snapping numerous photos while doing so. No, it did not make me fearful of becoming a journalist. The quote deepened my passion for this magnificent career. Many people ask me why I would like to become a journalist; I always give the same explanation. I want to become a journalist because I want to tell my story. I also want to tell the stories of those incapable of telling their own; to speak for those who have been silenced, by any means necessary. The quote acted as an oath for me; Am I willing to “run towards danger” in order to tell a story of someone in need of a voice? Yes.I learned a tremendous amount from the Newseum. The experience was astounding. Another one of those unexpected life-changing moments huh? Indeed.

The Beauty: Day One.

resitacox — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 04:27:00 +0000

As I sat in my window seat on train number 92 I was able to grasp my homeland. In other words, my lonely, freezing, six-hour train ride gave me time to embrace the wonderful world in which I live in. I do not travel much and I embrace each opportunity I am given. Here is a poem my journey to Washington, DC inspired me to write. It is shorter than most of my poems simply because it was my first time riding a train and no one advised me that I should carry on a blanket (it was too cold to write much of anything).

The Beauty

It’s amazing,

Our world is so big,

We live our entire lifes not truly capturing the beauty,

Even the worse things, the graffiti, the trash aside the road, the homeless,

I find beauty in it all.

It makes our world… ours!

We live here!

I look out of my window to see, civilization, it amazes me.

Above all of the weeds and roots of my route, I look to the sky,

Its an American flag.

Makes me proud to share this land,

I was born to see what he left for me,

Even the worse things,

The graffiti, the trash aside the road, the homeless,

I now understand,

And I find beauty in it all.

Ok down to business.

Day One:

The people.

I was the last one to enter into my suite. “Great, I’m late.” Wait. I will not use this blog to complain! Strictly business over here! Anyway I have met some pretty amazing people. Even by simply boarding the elevator I hear, “Hey, I’m from Cali! Where are you from.” In other words, the people here are stunning.

Chris Cillizza

Chris Cillizza was our opening speaker. This guy has a HUGE personality. You can basically see the passion seeping through his eyes. I love meeting journalist like this. You may have heard of him, he’s the writer of “The Fix”. Anyway, he shared some pretty helpful information with us “aspiring journalist”. One of the things that he said that intrigued me was to try as many different fields of journalism as possible. I mean let’s face it: the world is changing which means journalism is changing also. Duh, journalism makes the world go ’round. FYI: (this is my first attempt at blogging, bear with me). His speech was very short, sweet, and to the point. Meeting him was an experience. The brilliant journalist who make our world spin. Overall, he inspired me to not be afraid to try new things, by the way we are journalist, trying new things is our job!